Hair removing device with a lotion applicator

ABSTRACT

An improved hair removing device is capable of controlling a dispensing amount of the lotion to give the lotion adequately as intended by a user for comfortable hair treatment. The device includes a housing carrying a hair removing head adapted to be held against a user&#39;s skin for hair depilation or epilation. The device further includes an applicator for dispensing the lotion on the user&#39;s skin, a tank holding the lotion, and a lotion supply mechanism for supplying the lotion from the tank to the applicator. The lotion supply mechanism is provided with a regulating means which regulates an amount of the lotion being dispensed from the applicator.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is directed to a hair removing device with alotion applicator, and more particularly to the personal hair removingdevice capable of dispensing a lotion for facilitating the hairtreatment as well as for making a skin care.

BACKGROUND ART

WO98/08661 and Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 59-108574 disclosea portable hair removing device capable of dispensing a lotion forfacilitating the hair removal. The device incorporates a pump which isactivated by a button or switch to feed the lotion over a user's skinwhere the hair removal is intended. The device is designed to dispensethe lotion at a constant rate, which poses a problem that the lotion maybe too much or too less for users of different skin characteristics orpreferences.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above inconvenience, the present invention has beenachieved to provide an improved hair removing device which is capable ofcontrolling a dispensing amount of the lotion to give the lotionadequately as intended by a user for comfortable hair treatment. Thedevice in accordance with the present invention includes a housingcarrying a hair removing head which is adapted to be held against auser's skin for hair depilation or epilation. The device also includesan applicator which dispenses the lotion on the user's skin, a tankholding the lotion, and a lotion supply mechanism for supplying thelotion from the tank to the applicator. The lotion supply mechanismincludes a regulating means which regulates an amount of the lotionbeing dispensed from the applicator.

Thus, the applicator is enabled to dispense the lotion in an adequateamount as preferred by the user, thereby assuring comfortable hairremoving treatment.

The lotion supply mechanism includes a feed path extending from the tankto the applicator. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention,the regulator means includes a manipulator which acts on the feed pathto vary the cross-sectional area of the feed path for regulating a flowrate of the lotion, i.e., the dispensing amount of the lotion.

The tank may be made of a flexible material as a collapsible bag, andthe lotion supply mechanism includes a pressure means which applies apressure to the tank for expelling the lotion out of the tank to theapplicator. In this case, the regulator means may include a handle forvarying the pressure applied to the tank by the pressure means. When thepressure means is designed to include more than one pressurizers, thehandle is interlocked with one of the pressurizers for varying theoverall pressure being applied to the tank for regulation of thedispensing amount of the lotion.

Instead of the pressure means, the device may utilize a powered pump forexpelling the lotion from the tank to the applicator. In this instance,the regulating means also include a handle for varying pump capacity ofthe powered pump.

A diaphragm pump may be utilized as the powered pump which includes apump chamber with a diaphragm carrying a piezoelectric element. Thediaphragm is caused to deform, in response to a voltage being applied tothe piezoelectric element, to develop a force of expelling the lotionout of the tank. In this instance, the regulating means includes thehandle that varies the frequency at which the diaphragm repeatsdeforming for regulating the flow rate of the lotion being expelled tothe applicator.

Instead of the powered pump, the lotion supply mechanism may include amanual pump having a pump chamber and a movable member which develops aforce of expelling the lotion upon being displacement. The handle of theregulator is connected to the movable member for varying a displacementamount that the movable member is allowed to move, thereby enabling toregulate the dispensing amount of the lotion equally.

The regulating means may be additionally provided with a stop meanswhich stops feeding the lotion from the tank to the applicator, therebyassuring another possibility of making the hair removal without the aidof the lotion.

The present invention discloses another advantageous feature of avoidingundesired leakage of the lotion from the tank when the applicator isremoved together with a head frame of the hair removing head for thepurpose of cleaning the hair removing unit. For this purpose, the lotionsupply mechanism includes a head conduit extending integrally from theapplicator and a tank conduit extending from the tank. The tank conduitis detachably connected to the head conduit for feeding the lotion fromthe tank to the applicator, while the head conduit is detachabletogether with the head frame from the housing. The lotion supplymechanism includes a stop means which, in response to the detachment ofthe head frame from the housing, stops feeding the lotion out the tankconduit.

The stop means may be realized by a check valve which is provided at oneend of the tank conduit for closing the same. The check valve isactuated by the head conduit to open when the head conduit is moved tobe connected to the tank conduit.

Alternatively, the stop means may be realized by a lock member which ispositioned at one end of the tank conduit and is biased into a lockposition of closing the tank conduit. The lock member is interlockedwith the head frame so that it is actuated by the head frame to moveinto an unlock position of opening the tank conduit as long as the headframe is kept attached to the housing.

When the powered pump is utilized for expelling the lotion from the tankto the applicator, the stop means may be in the form of a stop switchwhich is actuated, upon detachment of the head frame from the housing,to cease operating the pump.

Preferably, the head conduit is connected to the tank conduit outside ofthe hair removing unit so as to make the connection free from taking inclipped hairs which would otherwise clog the lotion feed path.

Also for avoiding undesired entry of the clipped hairs, the head conduitextends downward from the hair removing head and is formed at its lowerend with a socket for receiving the upper end of the tank conduit tomake an interconnection therebetween. That is, as the socket of largerdiameter than that of the upper end of the tank conduit is directed withits opening facing downward, the socket does not act to collect theclipped hairs in its large opening to thereby reduce a possibility ofcapturing the clipped hairs.

The tank conduit may be formed with a tank connection with the tank. Thetank connection is pivotally supported to the housing so as to bemovable within a predetermined angular angle in relation to a nearbyplane of the housing for selectively projecting outwardly of thehousing. With this feature, the tank can be coupled to the tank conduitin a direction suitably angled with regard to the plane of the housingfor facilitating the replacement of the tank.

It should be noted here that the above technical feature of avoiding theundesired lotion leakage from the tank conduit can alone constitute anindependent subject matter of the invention without relying upon thefeature of regulating the dispensing amount of the lotion

Further, the present invention discloses a unique feature of avoidingthe leakage of the lotion from the tank itself prior to the tank beingcoupled to the tank conduit or the lotion feed path. For this purpose,the tank has a spout which is detachable to the lotion feed path andprovided with a normally closed elastic valve. The elastic valve iscaused to deform elastically to open for discharging the lotion to thelotion feed path only when the spout is coupled to the lotion feed path.

The elastic valve has a thick member and a thin member surrounding thethick member and giving elasticity to the valve. The thin member issupported to the spout and is provided with a vent for passingtherethrough the lotion. The spout includes a socket hole of circularcross-section for detachably receiving therein a tube forming the lotionfeed path. The thick member is formed into a semi-spherical shape with arounded portion being pressed against the end of the socket hole toclose the same in the absence of the tube in the socket hole. Thus, therounded portion of the semi-spherical shaped thick member is utilized toclose the spout successfully for preventing the lotion leakage.

Preferably, the tank is formed into a flat flexible bag having a reducedthickness relative to its width. In this connection, the spout is formedwith restricting means adjacent to the elastic valve in order torestrict an external force being applied in the thickness direction ofthe bag from transmitting to and deforming the thick member. Thus, theelastic valve can be free from being caused to open even if the userpinches the bags around the elastic valve

The restricting means may comprise a pair of projections which arediametrically opposed around the end of the socket hole in alignmentwith the thickness direction of the bag. The projections are held in anintimate supporting contact with the thin member so as to keep the thinmember free from being deformed by the external force applied to the bagin the thickness direction.

Further, the thick member is preferably formed with a seat projection onthe rounded top of the semi-spherical shaped thick member for receivingthe end of the tube inserted into the socket hole. The seat projectionis dimensioned to leave a gap of a gap of 0.2 mm to 3 mm between therounded portion and the end of the tube for allowing the lotion to passtherethrough when the tube is inserted into the socket hole to push saidthick member. With the use of the seat projection for abutment againstthe tube, the rounded portion responsible for closing the socket holecan be kept intact for assuring reliable closure of the spout.

It should be noted at this point that the above feature of preventingthe lotion leakage from the tank itself can alone constitutes anothersubject matter without relying upon the previously-mentioned features ofregulating the dispensing amount of the lotion or the features ofpreventing the lotion leakage upon detachment of the head frame from thehousing.

Preferably, the elastic valve is made of a rubber material selected atleast one from the group consisting of ethylene-propylene rubber,nitrile-butadiene rubber, and fluorinated rubber.

Further, the present invention gives another useful feature of providingan indicator for indicating the amount of the lotion remaining in thetank. When the lotion supply mechanism utilizes a pressurizer plate thatmoves relative to the housing in order to give a pressure to the tankfor expelling the lotion to the applicator, a sensor is provided tomonitor the position of the pressurizer plate to give a correspondingsignal representative of the amount of the lotion remaining in the tank.In response to the signal, the indicator gives a visual indication ofthe remaining amount of the lotion.

Instead of using the sensor, the tank itself may be formed integrallywith the indicator which is caused by the pressurizer plate to projecton the exterior of the device when the pressurizer plate presses orsqueeze the tank to an extent that the tank becomes nearly exhausted,thereby giving the indication of the nearly empty condition to the userfor prompting the user to replace the tank.

These and still other objects and advantageous features of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following detailed descriptionof the preferred embodiments of the present invention when taken inconjunction with the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a hair removing device in accordance with afirst embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the device;

FIG. 3 is a vertical section of the device;

FIG. 4 is a horizontal section of the device;

FIG. 5 is vertical section showing a lotion applicator included in thedevice;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the applicator and itsassociated parts;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the applicator;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are sectional views illustrating the lotion dispensingactions of the applicator, respectively;

FIG. 10 is a front view of the device shown with some parts removed;

FIGS. 11 and 12 are vertical sections of the device, respectively;

FIG. 13 is a vertical view of a modification of the above embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a partial section of an applicator in accordance with anothermodification of the above embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a vertical section of a device in accordance with a secondembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a vertical section of a device in accordance with a thirdembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a vertical section of a device in accordance with a fourthembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a partial vertical section of a device in accordance with afifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a vertical section of a device in accordance with a sixthembodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 20A, 20B, and 20C are diagrams showing the operation of anindicator of the above device, respectively;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a tank utilized in the above device;

FIG. 22 is an exploded perspective view of the tank;

FIG. 23 is a vertical section showing the connection of the tank and theapplicator;

FIG. 24 is a vertical section of the tank;

FIG. 25 is a side view of a spout of the tank;

FIG. 26 is a bottom view of the above spout;

FIG. 27 is a vertical side section of the tank;

FIG. 28 is a vertical section of a device in accordance with a seventhembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 29 is an exploded vertical section of the above device;

FIG. 30 is an exploded perspective view of the above device;

FIGS. 31 and 32 are vertical sections showing a lotion feed pathconnection of the device, respectively;

FIG. 33 is a vertical section of a hair removing head of the abovedevice;

FIG. 34 is an exploded perspective view of an applicator of the abovedevice;

FIGS. 35A and 35B are diagrams showing the operation of a diaphragm pumputilized in the above device;

FIGS. 36 and 37 are vertical sections of a device in accordance with aneighth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 38 is an exploded perspective view of a diaphragm pump utilized ina modification of the above device;

FIG. 39 is a side view of the above device;

FIGS. 40 and 41 are diagrams showing a lotion feed path connection of adevice in accordance with a ninth embodiment of the present invention,respectively;

FIGS. 42 and 43 are diagrams showing a lotion feed path connection of adevice in accordance with a tenth embodiment of the present invention,respectively; and

FIG. 44 is a vertical section of a device in accordance with an eleventhembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment<FIGS. 1 to 12>

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a dry shaver as one typicalversion of the personal hair removing device in accordance with thefirst embodiment of the present invention. The shaver includes a housing10 to be grasped by a hand of a user, a shaving head, i.e., a hairremoving head 30 projecting on top of the housing, and an applicator 110projecting adjacent to the hair removing head 30 for dispensing a lotionon a user's skin where the hair removing is made.

The hair removing head 30 is composed of three hair cutting sections,namely, a pair of short-hair cutters 40 and a long-hair cutter 50interposed between the short-hair cutters 40. The short-hair cutter 40has a U-shaped outer shearing foil 41 and an inner cutter 42 which isdriven to oscillate in shearing engagement with the foil, while thelong-hair cutter 50 is composed of a slender outer cutter 51 and aninner cutter 52 driven to oscillate in shearing engagement with theouter cutter. The outer shearing foil 41 and the long hair cutter 50 arefloatingly supported to a head frame 60 detachably supported to a baseframe 62 which is held on top of the housing 10. The housing 10incorporates an electric motor 15 which is connected to oscillatedriving elements 11 to which the inner cutters 42 and 52 are coupled.The inner cutters 42 are urged upwardly by bias springs 12 so that theshort-hair cutters 40 can be depressed when pressed against a user'sskin. The long-hair cutter 50 is biased by a like spring provided in thehead frame 60 to be capable of being depressed relative to the top frameor the housing. A switch handle 14 is provided on one side of thehousing 10 to activate the motor and therefore oscillate the innercutters for shaving.

Provided on a front face of the housing 10 is a lotion feed module 100which includes a front cover 101 mounting thereon the applicator 110 ata position adjacent to the short-hair cutter 40 for dispensing thelotion on the user's skin being shaved or to be shaved. The applicator110 is supplied with the lotion from a tank 140 by means of a lotionsupply mechanism which includes a pressurizer 70 for expelling thelotion out of the tank 140 and a feed path extending from the tank 140to the applicator 110. As shown in FIGS. 3, 6 and 7, the applicator 110is supported to a holder 130 which is detachably supported to the frontcover 101 and is capable of being separated from the front covertogether with the applicator 110 and the tank 140 also detachablysupported to the holder 130. The front cover 101 is detachably supportedto the housing and is provided at its upper lateral sides with releasebuttons 102 for disengagement of the front cover from the housing 10.When the front cover 101 is attached to the housing 10, the tank 140 ispressed by the pressurizer 70 in the form of a plate pivotally supportedat its lower end to the front lower end of the housing 10. Thepressurizer 70 is urged towards the tank 140 by a set of spring devicesto squeeze the tank 140 for expelling the lotion out to the applicator110. As shown in FIGS. 3, 6, 11, and 12, the spring devices includes apair of vertically spaced coil springs 81 and 82 held between thepressurizer 70 and the housing 10, and a spring loaded pusher 83 with alever 84 in pressing contact with the pressurizer.

Referring to FIG. 7, the holder 130 is configured to movably support theapplicator 110 relative to the holder in such a manner that theapplicator 110 is oriented to have its top lotion dispensing end inclosely adjacent relation to the short-hair cutter 40 when theapplicator is held in its upper most position, as shown in FIG. 1. Asthe applicator 110 is depressed, it becomes closer to straight in orderto avoid interfering with the short-hair cutter 40. For this purpose,the holder 130 includes a pair of arcuate grooves 131 for slidablyreceiving fins 112 on opposite side of the applicator 110. Coils springs133 are interposed between the holder 130 and the applicator 110 to biasthe applicator upwardly, i.e., floatingly support the applicator 110,whereby the applicator 110 is permitted to follow the contour of theskin easily while the shaver is manipulated to move across the skin. Asthe applicator 110 is depressed against the bias of the springs 133, thefins 112 are guided along the length of the grooves 131 to change theposture of the applicator relative to the hair removing head 30.

As best shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, the applicator 110 includes a header111 having a chamber 113 for temporarily storing the lotion suppliedfrom the tank 140. In detail, the header 111 is in the form of a hollowcasing with a bottom wall 114 and a top wall 118, and includes afloating bed 120 which is vertically movable within the chamber and isfloatingly supported to the bottom wall 114 by means of coil springs121. A plurality of rotating elements or balls 124 are loosely fittedrespectively within apertures 119 formed in the top wall 118 so as tocome into rolling contact with the skin when the applicator 110 is heldagainst the skin. The apertures 119 communicate with the chamber 113such that the lotion passes through a clearance between the aperture 119and the ball 124 for dispensing the lotion over the skin while the ballsrotate in contact with the skin. The balls 124 are supported on thefloating bed 120 so as to be capable of being depressed togethertherewith against the bias of the springs 121, as shown in FIG. 9, as aconsequence of the applicator 110 being pressed against the skin.

Projecting downwardly from the bottom wall 114 is a sleeve 115 whichcommunicates with the chamber 113 and is secured to one end of aflexible hose 134 leading to a conduit 135 which extends through theholder 130, as best shown in FIG. 5. The conduit 135 projects from theholder 130 to define a plug tube 137 for detachable connection to thetank 140. Thus, the hose 134, the conduit 135, and the plug tube 137 arecooperative to constitute the lotion feed path from the tank 140 to theapplicator 110.

Projecting downward from the floating bed 120 is a stem 126 whichextends loosely through the sleeve 115 and is provided at its bottomwith a stop valve 128 in sealing contact with a bottom open end of thesleeve 115, whereby the lotion feed path from the tank 140 to theapplicator is normally closed by the stop valve 128, as shown in FIG. 8.The stop valve 128 is opened only when the floating bed 120 is depressedtogether with the balls 124, as shown in FIG. 9. Thus, the lotion underbeing pressurized in the tank 140 can be supplied to the applicator 110in response to the balls 124 being pressed against the user's skin. Inthis sense, the stop valve 128 is cooperative with the pressurizer 70 tosupply the lotion from the tank 140 to the applicator 110, and the balls124 activates to dispense the lotion from the tank 140 to the applicator110 for applying the lotion over the skin. Due to the flexible nature,the hose 134 absorbs the resulting displacement of the applicator 110relative to the tank 140. It is noted in this connection, as the balls124 is depressed or lowered together with the floating bed 120, as shownin FIG. 9, the balls 124 are caused to rotate freely for smooth rollingcontact with the skin, and therefore efficient lotion feeding over theskin. In this condition, a gap or riser channel is formed between thestem 126 and the sleeve 115 to extend into an enlarged clearance Cbetween the lowered floating bed 120 and the top wall 118, therebydispensing the lotion on the user's skin by the action of the balls 124.It should be noted here that since the applicator 110 is held in closelyadjacent relation to the hair removing head 30, the actuator in the formof the balls 124 can be mobilized or depressed when the hair removinghead 30 comes into an operative condition for hair shaving, enabling toapply the lotion over the skin easily in association with the shaving,yet requiring no extra switching operation other than pressing theapplicator against the user's skin.

Turning back to FIG. 5, the holder 130 is provided with a manipulator201 in the form of a screw for regulating the amount of the lotion beingdispensed from the applicator 110. One end of the manipulator 201extends through the conduit 135 of the holder 130 in threaded engagementinto a threaded hole 136 in the holder 130 in order to vary thecross-section of the conduit 135 and therefore the flow rate of thelotion passing through the lotion feed path. The other end of themanipulator 201 projects on the front cover 101 to be accessible by thefingers of the user so that the user can regulate the dispensing amountof the lotion by advancing or retracting the manipulator 201. Whenadvancing the manipulator 201 to its maximum extent, it closes theconduit 135 to stop feeding the lotion towards the applicator 110. Thus,the manipulator 201 constitutes a regulating means for regulating thedispensing amount of the lotion from the applicator. Also seen in FIG.5, the conduit 135 and the hose 134 are provided respectively with apipe 138 and a rubber core 139 in order to reduce the internal volume ofthe lotion feed path or minimize the amount of the lotion remaining inthe lotion feed path when the tank is detached from the holder 130,thereby minimizing the leakage amount of the lotion from the lotion feedpath upon detachment of the tank 140.

As shown in FIG. 4, the pressurizer 70 is shaped to have its surfaceconforming to the inner rounded surface of the front cover 101 forsqueezing the flexible tank 140 to a maximum extent. Further, as shownin FIG. 10, the pressurizer 70 may be formed to have a wider width thanthat of the tank for the same purpose. When the tank 140 is squeezedfrom a fully-filled condition of FIG. 11 to a nearly empty condition ofFIG. 12, projections 73 at the upper end of the pressurizer 70 abutagainst stoppers 13 integrally extending from the housing 10. One of thestoppers 13 is provided with a sensor switch 18 which is actuated by theprojection 73 to close an electric circuit incorporated in the housingfor energizing a light emitting diode (LED) 90 located at the lower endof the housing 10. The LED 90 is viewed through a corresponding window103 at the lower end of the cover such that the LED acts as an indicatorto inform the user of the empty condition of the tank, prompting theuser to replace the tank.

Although the above embodiment illustrates the shaver as one typicalexample of the hair removing device, the present invention can beequally applied to a hair epilating device, as shown in FIG. 13, whichincludes a hair epilating head 30 provided with a cylinder 32 carryinghair pinching blades 33. The cylinder 32 is driven by the incorporatedmotor to rotate about a horizontal axis, during which the pinchingblades 33 are caused to open and close repeatedly to thereby pinch thehair and pluck it from the user's skin.

Further, in the above embodiment, the manipulator 201 is shown to becoupled to the holder 130, the manipulator 201 may be coupled to theapplicator 110 itself for varying the cross-section of the lotion feedpath immediately upstream of the applicator, as shown in FIG. 14.

Second Embodiment <FIG. 15>

FIG. 15 illustrates a second embodiment of the present invention inwhich the pressurizer 70 is made to vary its pressing force to the tank140 for regulating the dispensing amount of the lotion. The otherstructures and the functions are identical to the first embodiment sothat no duplicate explanation is made here and like parts are designatedby like reference numerals. In this embodiment, the spring-loaded pusher83 urging the pressurizer 70 is cooperative with a handle 203 toconstitute a regulating means or system for regulating the dispensingamount of the lotion. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 15, the pusher 83comprises a pair of coil springs 85 fitted respectively around verticalrods 86 secured to the housing 10, and a pair of sliders 87 connected tothe upper end of the coil springs 85. The sliders 87 are slidable alongthe length of the respective rods 86 and are each provided with a pivotarm 88 having one end pivotally connected to the slider and the otherend pivotally connected to the lever 84. The lever 84 has its upper endspivotally supported to the housing 10 so that lever 84 is urged towardsaway from the housing by the action of the coil springs 85 for giving tothe pressurizer 70 the force of pressurizing the tank 140. It is thesecoil springs 85 that are adjusted to vary the pressing force of thepressurizer 70 for regulating the dispensing amount of the lotion. Thehandle 203 has its inner ends 204 slidably fitted around the rods 86 insupporting relation respectively with the lower ends of the coil springs85 so as to adjust the compressing force of the springs by moving thehandle vertically. For this purpose, the handle 203 is provided with anadjustor knob 205 exposed on the exterior of the front cover 101 to beaccessible by the user's hand. The handle 203 is normally biased to alowermost position by the coil springs 85 and is manipulated totemporarily move upwardly against the bias of the coils springs 85 asthe user wishes to increase the dispensing amount of the lotion.Alternatively, the handle 203 may be clicked into any desired positionby means of a detent mechanism or the like for retaining the handle orkeeping the intended dispensing amount of the lotion.

Third Embodiment <FIG. 16>

FIG. 16 illustrates a third embodiment of the present invention in whichthe tank 140 receives an additional pressing force by a manualcompressor 210 which constitutes a regulating system for regulating thedispensing amount of the liquid from the applicator 110. The otherstructures and the functions are identical to the first embodiment sothat no duplicate explanation is made here and like parts are designatedby like reference numerals. The compressor 210 comprises a frame 211secured to the front cover 101 and carrying a handle 212 with a knob213, a pad 214, aid a spring 215 urging the handle 212 away from tank140. The pad 214 extends through the front cover 101 to come intopressing contact with the tank 140 to give an additional pressure forsqueezing the tank 140 independently of the pressurizer 70. Thus, themanual compressor 210 develops the squeezing force that varies with thepressing force applied to the knob 213 by the user, thereby enabling toregulate the dispensing amount of the liquid from the applicator 110.

Fourth Embodiment <FIG. 17>

FIG. 17 illustrates a fourth embodiment of the present invention inwhich a powered pump 220 is utilized to expel the lotion from the tankto the applicator 110 and a switch handle 221 which varies pump capacityof the pump for regulating the dispensing amount of the lotion from theapplicator. The other structures and the functions are identical to thefirst embodiment so that no duplicate explanation is made here and likeparts are designated by like reference numerals. The pump 220 is poweredby an electric motor 222 of which power is adjusted by the switch handle221 mounted on the exterior of the front cover 101 and accessible by theuser. The pump 220 has its inlet connected to a flexible conduit 135detachable to the tank 140 and has its outlet connected to theapplicator by means of a flexible hose 134. The switch handle 221 has anadditional stop position of ceasing the pump 220 and therefore disablingthe applicator from dispensing the lotion.

Fifth Embodiment <FIG. 18>

FIG. 18 illustrates a fifth embodiment of the present invention in whicha manual diaphragm pump 230 is included in the lotion feed pathextending from the holder 130 to the applicator 110 for regulating thedispensing amount of the lotion from the applicator. The otherstructures and the functions are identical to the first embodiment sothat no duplicate explanation is made here and like parts are designatedby like reference numerals. The diaphragm pump 230 has a pump chamber231 and a diaphragm 232 varying the volume of the chamber. The pumpchamber 231 is provided midway in the hose 134 between the holder 130and the applicator 110, and includes inlet valve 233 for allowing thelotion to be sucked into the chamber from the tank through the conduit135, and an outlet valve 234 for allowing the lotion to be expelled fromthe chamber to the applicator. Associated with the pump 230 is amanipulator 235 in the form of a screw that is supported to the frontcover 101 to be movable in the axial direction, and is biased by aspring 236 to move away from the diaphragm 232. A knob 238 is formed atone end of the manipulator 235 and projects out of a frame 237 attachingthe manipulator 235 to the front cover 101 to be accessible by thefinger of the user. The diaphragm 232 is actuated manually to introducethe lotion into the chamber by pressing the knob 238 and to pump thelotion out of the chamber to the applicator 110 by releasing the knob.In other words, the pump gives an additional pressure for feeding thelotion to the applicator and therefore dispensing the lotion from theapplicator. Thus, it is readily possible to vary the dispensing amountof the lotion by manually activating the diaphragm pump. It is noted inthis connection, the manual pump can be alone provided or in combinationwith the pressurizer 70 as discussed hereinbefore for feeding the lotionfrom the tank to the applicator, i.e., supplying the pressurized lotionto the applicator 110. Further, the manipulator 235 is provided with anadjustor dial 238 or nut for adjusting a projecting amount of themanipulator towards the diaphragm 232 and therefore a deforming amountof the diaphragm to adjust the flow rate of the lotion being fed to theapplicator 110, or the pump capacity per one pushing of the manipulator.The adjustor dial 238 may be moved to a stop position where themanipulator cannot reach the diaphragm for disabling the diaphragm pump.

Sixth Embodiment <FIGS. 19 and 20>

FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate a sixth embodiment of the present inventionwhich is identical to the first embodiment except that a mechanicalindicator 144 is carried on the tank for indication of the amount of thelotion remaining in the tank 140. The other structures and operationsare identical to the first embodiment. Therefore, no duplicateexplanation is made herein and like parts are designated by likereference numerals. The tank 140 is provided with the indicator 144which is made of an elastic material and shaped into a bowl with acenter stud 146. As shown in FIG. 20, the bowl has its brim 145 sealedaround a hole 142 in the tank 140 with the center stud 146 located inthe center of the hole 142 which is in direct communication with awindow 107 in the front cover 101. At the fully-filled condition of thetank 140 (FIG. 20A), the bottom of the indicator 144 is spaced from theopposite wall of the tank to locate the stud 146 not projecting into thewindow 107. As the tank 140 is squeezed from its half-empty condition toa nearly empty condition by the action of the pressurizer 70, theindicator 144 is pushed by the pressurizer to advance the distal end ofthe stud 146 from a mid-position within the window 107 (FIG. 20B) to aprojected position on the exterior of the front cover 101 (FIG. 20C).Thus, the indicator 144 gives a clear indication of the amount of thelotion remaining in the tank.

Now referring to FIGS. 21 to 24, the tank 140, which is made of theflexible material into a collapsible bag having a reduced thicknessrelative to its width, is provided with a spout 150 detachable to thelotion feed path, i.e.,the plug tube 137 extending from the holder 130.The spout 150 is heat-sealed to the upper end of the tank 140 and has asocket hole 151 for selectively receiving the plug tube 137 and a cap152. Projecting on the lower end of the spout 150 is a barrel 154 whichcarries a check valve 160 for allowing the lotion to be supplied to theapplicator only when the plug tube 137 is inserted into the spout 150.As shown in FIG. 23, the holder 130 is provided on its lower end with apair of hooks 132 which are detachably engaged with corresponding slots153 in the upper end of the spout 150. When the holder 130 is coupled tothe spout 150, the plug tube 137 extends through the socket hole 151 andpushes the check valve 160 to open it for allowing the lotion to bedischarged through a gap between the valve 160 and the lower end of theplug tube 137.

The check valve 160 is made of a rubber in the form of a bottom-closedcylinder with a semi-spherical bulge 161 on the center of the bottom anda thin circular side wall 168 upstanding from a thin periphery of thebottom for engagement with a recess 155 in the barrel 154 of the spout150. The check valve 160 is shaped into a thin structure other than atthe semi-spherical bulge 161 to be given elastic deformability such thatthe semi-spherical bulge 161 has its rounded portion normally kept insealing contact with the lower end of the barrel 154 for closing thespout, as shown in FIG. 24. When the plug tube 137 is inserted into thespout 150, the semi-spherical bulge 161 is pushed thereby to move awayfrom the lower end of the barrel 154 for opening the spout, as shown inFIG. 23. The check valve 160 is formed in the bottom around the bulge161 with apertures 162 for introducing the lotion from within the tank140. The semi-spherical bulge 161 is formed at its apex with across-shaped seat projection 163 which is responsible for bearing thelower end of the plug tube 137 inserted into the socket hole 151 whileleaving the gap therebetween for passing the lotion into the plug tube137. The gap, which is left between the rounded portion of thesemi-spherical bulge 161 and the lower end of the plug tube 137, rangesfrom 0.2 mm to 3 mm for smoothly passing the lotion therethrough. Thevalve 160 is preferably made of an elastic rubber selected at least onefrom the group consisting of ethylene-propylene rubber,nitrile-butadiene rubber, and fluorinated rubber. These materialsexhibit less permeability to alcohol preferably contained in the lotionto prevent evaporation of the lotion from within the tank.

As shown in FIGS. 25 to 27, the barrel 154 is formed at its lower endcircumference with a pair of restrictors 156 in the form of projectionsfor preventing accidental deformation of the valve 160 leading tounintended opening. The restrictors 156 are provided at diametricallyopposed portions in alignment with the thickness direction of the tank140 so as to back-up the thin side wall 168 of the valve 160 forpreventing an external force from applying to the side wall, as shown inFIG. 27. The external force is likely to be applied in the thicknessdirection of the tank 140 while the user holds the tank 140 of thinconfiguration. The lower end of the barrel other than the restrictors156 are inclined for facilitating the side wall 168 of the valve 160 togive sufficient elastic deformation to the valve for closing and openingthe end of the barrel 154.

Seventh Embodiment <FIGS. 28 to 35>

FIGS. 28 to 35 illustrate a seventh embodiment of the present inventionwhich is basically identical to the first embodiment except that anapplicator 110A is incorporated into a hair removing head 30A and isdetachable together with a head frame 60A from a housing 10A. The otherstructures and operations are identical to the first embodiment.Therefore, no duplicate explanation is made herein and like parts aredesignated by like reference numerals with a suffix letter of “A”. Theapplicator 110A is mounted on the head frame 60A to be located adjacentthe long-hair cutter 50A. The head frame 60A carries a head conduit 64extending integrally from the applicator 110A and projecting outwardlyof the head frame 60A for detachable connection with a tank conduit 170which extends from the tank 140A and is mounted on the side of thelotion feed module 100A attached to the housing 10A. A diaphragm pump330 is provided in the course of the tank conduit 170 to draw the lotionfrom within the tank 140A. The lotion feed module 100A includes thefront cover 101A and a motor 340 for the diaphragm pump 330 in additionto the tank conduit 170. In this embodiment, the lotion supply mechanismincludes the pump 330, and the lotion feed path defined by the tankconduit 170 and the head conduit 64. The tank conduit 170 is composed ofa pump inlet tube 171 connecting the tank 140A to the pump 330, a pumpoutlet tube 172 extending from the pump, and a coupling tube 173integrally extending from the pump outlet tube 172 for detachableconnection with the head conduit 64. The coupling tube 173 is providedat its lower end away from the connection to the head conduit 64 with acheck valve 180 which is identical to the check valve 160 utilized inthe spout 150 of the tank 140 as explained in detail with reference toFIGS. 22 to 27. That is, the check valve 180 is caused to open thelotion feed path upon the head conduit 64 being inserted into thecoupling tube 173 for feeding the lotion to the applicator 110A, asshown in FIG. 31. Otherwise, the coupling tube 173, i.e., the tankconduit 170 is kept closed for preventing the lotion leaking from thetank 140 after the applicator 110A is detached from the housing 10Atogether with the head frame 60A, as shown in FIG. 32.

As shown in FIGS. 33 and 34, the applicator 110A of the presentembodiment comprises a skin guide 120A as one modification of thefloating bed 120 depicted in the first embodiment. The skin guide 120Ais made of an elastic material and has its top end projecting on top ofthe header 111 A for contact with the user's skin and has its bottomspaced from the bottom of the header 111A to define therebetween a likechamber 113A for temporarily storing the lotion supplied from the tank.The skin guide 120A is vertically movable between a pair of plates 117forming the header 111A, and is urged upwardly by means of springs 121A.Lotion dispensing gaps are defined between recesses 127 in the skinguide and corresponding stops 129 at the upper end of the header 111Aand are caused to open for dispensing the lotion as the skin guide 120Ais depressed.

The header 111A has a sleeve 115A for connection with the head conduit64 to be supplied with the lotion. A stem 126A, which projects from thelower end of the skin guide 120A and extends into the sleeve 115A, isformed at its lower end with a stop 128A which normally closes thesleeve 115A and opens as the skin guide 120A is depressed. Thus, thelotion is dispensed only when the skin guide 120A is pressed against theuser's skin.

As shown in FIGS. 35A and 35B, the diaphragm pump 330 has a pump chamber331 with a diaphragm 332 which is driven by the motor 340 to vary thevolume of the chamber, thereby drawing the lotion through an inlet valve333 in the chamber 331 and expelling the lotion through an outlet valve334 to the applicator. For this purpose, a cam and crank combination 342is provided for translating the rotational movement of the motor into areciprocating movement of the diaphragm 332. A controller with anadjuster handle (not shown) is provided for controlling the rotationalspeed of the motor 340 so that the user can regulate the dispensingamount of the lotion from the applicator as is made in the previousembodiment. Thus, the controller and the motor constitutes theregulating means for regulation of the dispensing amount of the lotion.Further, the adjustor has a stop position of ceasing the pump to disablethe applicator from dispensing the lotion.

Eighth Embodiment <FIGS. 36 and 37>

FIGS. 36 and 37 illustrate an eighth embodiment of the present inventionwhich is similar to the seventh embodiment except that the tank conduit170 is configured to have its one end capable of being pivoted forfacilitating the attachment and detachment of the tank to the tankconduit. The other structures and operations are identical to theseventh embodiment. Therefore, no duplicate explanation is made hereinand like parts are designated by like reference numerals. The pump inlettube 171, a part of the tank conduit 170, is additionally provided witha tank plug 175 for detachable insertion into the spout 150A of the tank140A. The tank plug 175 has its one end connected to the pump inlet tube171 and also pivotally supported to a bracket 176 on the housing 10A sothat the tank plug 175 can be angled relative to a plane of the housing10A. The bracket 176 includes a spring 177 for urging the tank plug 175to project at a large angle with respect to the plane of the housing10A, as shown in FIG. 36. In this connection, the front cover 101A isdivided into an upper cover 105 and a lower cover 106 detachable to theupper cover 105. The upper cover 105 is secured to the housing 10A toconceal therebehind the pump 330 and the major portion of the tankconduit 170, while the lower cover 106 is detachable to the housing 10Ato conceal therebehind the tank 140A. When the lower cover 106 isdetached from the housing 10A for replacement of the tank 1 40A, thetank plug 175 pops up to project at the large angle relative to theplane of the housing 10A. Whereby, the tank can be easy to be connectedto or disconnected from the tank plug 175, as shown in FIG. 36. The tankplug 175 after being connected to the tank 140 is folded on the housing10A against the spring bias as a consequence of that the lower cover 106is attached to the housing 10A to hold the tank therebetween, as shownin FIG. 37.

FIG. 38 illustrates another diaphragm pump 430 which may be utilized inthe present embodiment. The pump is actuated by a piezoelectric actuator439 in the form of a film or disk incorporated in a diaphragm 432 andreceiving a driving voltage from a control circuit through lines 436.The diaphragm 432 is placed on a pump case 435 to define therebetween apump chamber 431. A cover 437 is secured on the pump case 435 to holdthe circumference of the diaphragm 432 between the cover 437 and thepump case with the use of sealing rings 438. Attached to the bottom ofthe pump case 435 is a valve assembly 450 which includes an inlet valve433 for drawing in the lotion from the tank and an outlet valve 434 forexpelling the lotion to the applicator. As shown in FIG.39, the housing10A is provided on its side with a handle 440 which actuates the controlcircuit to apply the voltage at varying frequencies for regulating theflow rate of the lotion or the amount of the lotion being dischargedfrom the pump. Thus, the control circuit with the handle defines aregulating means for regulating the dispensing amount of the lotion, sothat user can adjust the dispensing amount of the lotion from theapplicator. Also, the handle 440 has a stop position of ceasing the pumpto disable the applicator from dispensing the lotion.

Ninth Embodiment <FIGS. 40 and 41 >

FIGS. 40 and 41 illustrate a ninth embodiment of the present inventionwhich is similar to the seventh embodiment except that a lock member 250is introduced instead of the check valve 180 to stop the leakage of thelotion from the tank conduit 170 upon detachment of the applicator. Theother structures and operations are identical to the seventh embodiment.Therefore, like parts are designated by like reference numerals. Thelock member 250 is pivotally supported to a mounting plate 20 which isfixed to the housing 10A and through which the upper end of the tankconduit 170 extends for detachable connection with the head conduit 64.The lock member 250 is formed at its one end with a stop valve 251 whichextends into the tank conduit 170 for closing and opening a constrictedpassage 178. The other end of the lock member 250 defines an actuator252 which is engageable with a limb 66 integrally extending from thehead frame 60A. The lock member 250 is urged by a spring 254 to pivot ina direction of closing the passage 178 by the stop valve 251. While thehead frame 60A is attached to the housing 10A to mount the applicatorthereon, the limb 66 pushes the actuator 252 so as to pivot the lockmember 250 in a direction of opening the passage 178, as shown in FIG.40, thereby allowing the lotion to be supplied to the applicator. Upondetachment of the head frame 60A from the housing 10A, on the otherhand, the lock member 250 is released and is caused by the spring 254 tomove the stop valve 251 for closing the passage 178. Thus, the lotioncan be prevented from leaking out of the tank each time the head frame60A is detached together with the applicator.

Tenth Embodiment <FIGS. 42 and 43>

FIGS. 42 and 43 illustrate a tenth embodiment of the present inventionwhich is similar to the ninth embodiment except that a lock member 260acts to deform a pump outlet tube 172 made of a flexible material todefine a part of the tank conduit 170. The other structures andoperations are identical to the seventh embodiment. Therefore, likeparts are designated by like reference numerals. The pump outlet tube172 is provided at its upper end with a ferrule 179 which is fixed tothe mounting plate 20 for detachably connection to the head conduit 64extending from the applicator. The lock member 260 is pivotallysupported to the mounting plate 20 to be movable between a closeposition of closing the tank conduit 170 and an open condition ofopening the tank conduit. For this purpose, the lock member 260 isformed at its end with a hook 261 engageable with the pump outlet tube172, and is urged by a spring 264 to the close position. The other endof the lock member 260 defines an actuator 262 which is engageable withthe limb 66 of the head frame 60A for interlocking the lock member 260with the head frame 60A. While the head frame 60A is attached togetherwith the applicator to the housing, the limb 66 pushes the actuator 252to thereby pivot the lock member 260 into the open position where thehook 261 disengages from the pump outlet tube 172 to keep the lotionfeed path open, as shown in FIG. 42. Upon detachment of the head frame60A, on the other hand, the actuator 262 is released so that the lockmember 260 returns to the close position where the hook 261 forciblysqueezes the pump outlet tube 172 to close the lotion feed path, asshown in FIG. 43. Thus, it is equally possible to shut the tank conduit170 in response to the detachment of the head frame 60A from the housingfor successfully preventing the leakage of the lotion from the tankconduit.

It is noted in this connection that the head conduit 64 is formed with asocket 65 which receives the upper end of the ferrule 179 for detachableconnection therebetween. The socket 65 is located to have its sockethole facing downwards so as not to collect the clipped hairs droppingfrom the hear removing head upon detachment of the head frame 60A fromthe housing.

Further, the above lotion leakage prevention scheme by use of the lockmembers 250 or 260 is illustrated as related to the seventh embodimentin which the diaphragm pump 330 is responsible for feeding thepressurized lotion from the tank 140A through the tank conduit 170 tothe applicator 110A. However, the lotion leakage prevention scheme maybe equally utilized in the first embodiment in which the pressurizer 70is responsible for feeding the pressurized lotion to the applicator.

Eleventh Embodiment <FIG. 44>

FIG. 44 illustrates an eleventh embodiment of the present inventionwhich is similar to the seventh embodiment except that a switch 270 isprovided to stop operating the diaphragm pump 330 in response to thedetachment of the head frame 60A from the housing 10A. The otherstructures and operations are identical to the seventh embodiment.Therefore, like parts are designated by like reference numerals. Theswitch 270 is mounted on the housing 10A in an engageable relation withthe head frame 60A and is actuated by the head frame attached to thehousing in order to enable the pump 330 for feeding the pressurizedlotion to the applicator. Upon removal of the head frame 60A, the switch270 is released to disable the pump, thereby preventing the lotion frombeing discharged out of the tank conduit 170.

The hair removing device as illustrated with reference to theembodiments of FIGS. 28 to 44 only show the shaver head as one typicalhair removing head, however, the features disclosed with reference toFIGS. 28 to 44 are also applicable to the hair removing device includingthe epilation head as shown in FIG. 13 or any other hair removing head.

1. A hair removing device with a lotion applicator, said devicecomprising: a housing; a hair removing head mounted to said housing andadapted to be held against a user's skin for hair depilation or hairepilation, an applicator which dispenses a lotion on the user's skin; atank holding the lotion; a lotion supply mechanism for supplying saidlotion from said tank to said applicator, wherein said lotion supplymechanism includes a regulating means which regulates an amount of saidlotion being dispensed from said applicators, said lotion supplymechanism includes a powered pump for expelling the lotion from saidtank to said applicator, said regulating means including a handle forvarying pump capacity of said powered pump. 2-5. (canceled)
 6. Thedevice as set forth in claim 1, wherein said lotion supply meansincludes a diaphragm pump for expelling the lotion from said tank tosaid applicator, said diaphragm pump having a pump chamber with adiaphragm carrying a piezoelectric element which deforms, in response toa voltage being applied to said piezoelectric element, to develop aforce of feeding the lotion, said regulating means including a handlefor varying the frequency at which said diaphragm repeats deforming toregulate a flow rate of said lotion being fed to said applicator. 7-8.(canceled)
 9. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein saidapplicator is incorporated into a head frame forming a part of said hairremoving head, said head frame being detachable from said housing, saidlotion supply mechanism including a head conduit extending integrallyfrom said applicator and a tank conduit extending from said tank, saidtank conduit being detachably connected to said head conduit for feedingsaid lotion from said tank to said applicator, said head conduit beingdetachable together with said head frame from said housing, said lotionsupply means further including a stop means which, in response to thedetachment of said head frame from said housing, stops feeding thelotion out of said tank conduit.
 10. The device as set forth in claim 9,wherein said stop means is in the form of a check valve provided at oneend of said tank conduit for closing the tank conduit, said check valvebeing actuated by said head conduit to open when said head conduit isconnected to said tank conduit.
 11. The device as set forth in claim 9,wherein said stop means is a lock member which is positioned at one endof said tank conduit and which is biased into a lock position of closingthe tank conduit, said lock member being actuated by said head frame tomove into an unlock position of opening said tank conduit as long assaid head frame is kept attached to said housing.
 12. The device as setforth in claim 9, wherein said lotion supply means includes a poweredpump for expelling the lotion from said tank to said applicator throughsaid tank conduit and said head conduit, said stop means including astop switch which is actuated, upon detachment of said head frame fromsaid housing, to cease operating said pump.
 13. The device as set forthin claim 9, wherein said head conduit is connected to said tank conduitoutside of said hair removing head.
 14. The device as set forth in claim9, wherein said head conduit extends downward from said hair removingunit and is formed at its lower end with a socket for receiving thereinthe upper end of said tank conduit to make an interconnectiontherebetween.
 15. The device as set forth in claim 9, wherein said tankconduit is formed with a tank connection for detachable connection withsaid tank, said tank connection being pivotally supported to saidhousing so as to be movable within a predetermined angular range inrelation to a nearby plane of said housing for selectively projectingoutwardly from said housing.
 16. The device as set forth in claim 9,wherein said applicator includes a stop valve which normally closes tostop dispensing the lotion, said stop valve being made open only uponsaid applicator being pressed against the user's skin for dispensing thelotion.
 17. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said tank has aspout detachably coupled to a lotion feeding path leading to saidapplicator, said spout being provided with a normally closed elasticvalve, said elastic valve being caused to elastically deform to open fordischarging said lotion to said lotion feeding path when said spout iscoupled to said lotion feeding path.
 18. The device as set forth inclaim 17, wherein said elastic valve has a thick member and a thinmember surrounding said thick member and giving elasticity to saidvalve, said thin member being supported to said spout and provided withapertures for passing the lotion therethrough.
 19. The device as setforth in claim 18, wherein said spout includes a socket hole of circularcross-section for detachably receiving therein a tube forming saidlotion feeding path, said thick member being formed into asemi-spherical shape with a rounded portion being pressed against theend of said socket hole to close the same in the absence of said tube insaid socket hole.
 20. The device as set forth in claim 18, wherein saidtank is formed into a flat flexible bag having a reduced thicknessrelative to its width, said spout being formed with restricting meansadjacent to a connection to said elastic valve, said restrictor meansrestricting an external force being applied in the thickness directionof said bag from transmitting to and deforming said thick member. 21.The device as set forth in claim 20, wherein said restricting meanscomprises a pair of projections which are held in an intimate contactwith said thin member, said projections being diametrically opposedaround the end of said socket hole in alignment with the thicknessdirection of said bag.
 22. The device as set forth in claim 19, whereinsaid thick member is formed with a seat projection on the rounded top ofsaid semi-spherical shape for receiving the end of said tube insertedinto said socket hole, said seat projection being dimensioned to leave agap of 0.2 mm to 3 mm between said rounded portion and the end of saidtube for allowing the lotion to pass therethrough when said tube isinserted into said socket hole to push said thick member.
 23. The deviceas set forth in claim 17, wherein said elastic valve is made of a rubbermaterial selected at least one from the group consisting ofethylene-propylene rubber, nitrile-butadiene rubber, and fluorinatedrubber. 24-27. (canceled)